Purple Minions

I couldn't help but chuckle at a conversation between our seven and eight year old children yesterday.  Although the reality isn't at all funny, the context of their little minds demanded a smile.

Luke, our eight year old, was explaining to Sarah, our seven year old, that Satan had minions.  Then, he added almost as an after thought, but they aren't yellow.

You could see Sarah's seven year old mind spinning....Then, she asked, "Are they purple?"

If you have seen Despicable Me 2, then I know you are following right along with me.  However, for those of you who haven't seen this funny kids' movie, you might be scratching your head.  {smile}

These are the minions from the movie Despicable Me 2.  The yellow ones are friendly.  The purple ones, um...not so much.  

However funny this little conversation seemed to me, it doesn't minimize the severity of the reality that Satan does indeed have minions and they are neither yellow nor purple.  They are cruel, evil, oppressive. and destructive. 

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness or this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness (minions) in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:11-12 (parentheses added). 

I, for one, don't like to talk about demons or the enemy too much.  I think he likes the attention.  However, it would be unwise to ignore that they do exist or that they do scheme to wreck havoc on our lives.  These minions are constantly at work lying to us to get us to do their bidding or remain trapped in a cell of deception. 

However, we are not helpless.  We are fully equipped with the Word of God to stand against "the wiles" or strategies of the devil.  

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."  Ephesians 6:13-14

The trouble is many of us don't know the Word of God well enough to stand.  We get attacked by the enemy and we just take it and get knocked down.  God never meant for us to just take the punches.  He has given us spiritual weapons to stand strong in battle.  

"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."  2 Cor 10: 4

Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exults itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5

A stronghold is any lie or belief that you have that is contrary to the Word of God.  Or a stronghold could be anything that you have come to rely on other than God.  The enemy will lie and try to convince you that you must have ______ in order to be full.  Jesus is the only One who can fill the holes and make us whole. Anything else is a counterfeit and when we come to rely on it, it becomes a stronghold.  

My friends, don't be naive.  The enemy does indeed have his "minions" out to try to get us in strongholds and sin.  We need to stay in God's Word and buckle down double when we see any traces of yellow or purple fog around our minds.  Just kidding about the yellow or purple.  I wish they were colorful so we could recognize them easier.  When you start to feel anything other than joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, you can bet there is a purple perpetrator somewhere around.   Friends, we can be aware even without the color notification.  

Are you in a stronghold today?  Have you been relying on something other than Jesus to fill you?  The good news is when we can recognize what is going on, we can do something about it.  We can see what God says about it in His Word.  Bring every negative thought captive to the obedience of the truth of Jesus.  Stand. Win. 

We don't need to let any minions get the better of us, no matter what color they come in. 

How to Handle Fear {Part 3}

Earlier this week, I shared some truths I have been looking at in God's Word about fear and some heros that were victorious over fear.  The last Hero of the Bible we are going to look at this week is the King of Heroes—Jesus!  We are going to look at Jesus in the Garden and uncover whether Jesus was afraid.

 

In Matthew 26: 36-46, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He said to Peter, James, and John,    “ My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  Stay here and watch with Me.” (Matt 26:38). 

My Bible commentary states that the agony Jesus experienced was not caused by the fear of physical death, but by the association of His death with sin.  

“For He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”( 2 Cor 5:21)  

This is huge!  Sin and God cannot be together, so this meant Jesus would be temporarily apart from the Father!  That is why on the cross, He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  (Matt 27: 46).  Jesus trembled at the thought of being separated from the Father and His Holy nature agonized over becoming sin, the one thing He hated.  

However, I have to take issue with those who would claim that Jesus was afraid of His sacrifice.  Jesus, the One who constantly stood confidently in the face of fear and is the same as God who commands over and over again in His Word to NOT be afraid, would not have been afraid.   He agonized over His plight and temporary suffering, but He was not afraid.  He may have been tempted to fear and He left a good example of what we should do when tempted to fear.

 

1.       Pray!  (Matthew 26: 36)

2.       He asked others to pray (Matthew 26:38, 41)

Jesus knew by the end of His time praying that it was God’s will for the plan of redemption to move forward.  By the time the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He was no longer in agony and the temptation to fear did not win.  He stood boldly before His enemies.  

Prayer in the midst of fear gives us the confident and courage to be bold in the face of adversity.  And praying also helps us to know God’s will and when we KNOW God’s will, courage and confidence follows to do His will.   

Thank you for allowing me to share what I have seen in God's Word this week.  I would LOVE to hear your feedback?  Did any of what I found help you with your fear?  Was there anything I mentioned that you hadn't thought about before?  Do you agree or disagree with it?  Please leave your thoughts in the comment sections.  I heart and treasure your comments.   

How to Handle Fear {Part 2}

Yesterday, I shared in How to Handle Fear {Part 1} how David triumphed when others were paralyzed with fear.  Today, we will look at Joshua and how he handled fear.

In the book of Joshua, Moses is dead and God tells Joshua to prepare to enter the promise land. God tells Joshua 3 times in the first 9 verses of Joshua Chapter 1 to be of “good courage”.   Each of the three verses coincides with a reminder from the Lord later on in the book of what is needed to help his people “be of good courage” to face their fears.   

What the Israelites did to prepare their hearts for belief is an example we can follow to prepare our own hearts to believe and conquer fear. 

“Be strong and of good courage for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. “  Joshua 1:6

1.       Remember God’s promises.   God swore to their fathers to give them the land.  Anytime God makes a promise, we can expect Him to deliver on that promise.  We do not need to be afraid.  God will do what He said He will do.  Before Joshua led the Israelites to Jericho, he reminded them of God’s promise.  “The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.”(Joshua 1:13)  We too must remember and remind ourselves of what God says when we are afraid. 

“ Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you; do not turn form it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:7

2.       Obey God.  Living pure and holy lives helps us overcome fear and walk in boldness.    In Joshua 3:5, Joshua exhorts the Israelites the day before the Lord opened the waters for them to cross over the River Jordan.  Joshua said, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”   When we are living in the truth of God’s Word, we can have confidence to do what God has called us to do and believe that the Lord will do wonders!

 “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 9

3.       Remember God is with you.  Throughout Joshua 3 and 4 there is an emphasis on the Ark of the Covenant being with His people and going before them as they crossed over the River Jordan on dry land.  The Ark is mentioned in in Joshua 3:3,6,8,11,13,14,15 and Joshua 4: 5,6,7,9,10,11,16,18. Of course, the Ark of the Covenant is symbolic of the Lord being with them. 

When facing difficult circumstances or overcoming fears, it is important to remember our God is with us and goes before us (Psalm 139:5).  We must keep our eyes on Him.  They had a physical symbol of the Ark.  We don’t have an Ark, but we have something better, the living Word of God.

    

4.       Watch your words.  The last truth I want to point out from the book of Joshua is that God had the Israelites remain silent until they shouted for the walls of Jericho to come down.   “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth until the day I say to you, “Shout!” (Joshua 6: 10) 

What we say and don’t say will help us overcome our fears.  Words of unbelief and doubt reap actions of unbelief and doubt.  Words of belief and faith, reap actions of belief and faith.  Yesterday, we saw how David spoke words of faith to the giant and how it built his confidence and courage.   Words of doubt feed fear.  Words of faith feed courage. 

Again, like David, we can see the train of thought--belief-faith-courage-action-success, in the example of Joshua.  He believed God’s promise, He had faith and encouraged himself and others in that faith through God’s Word, He took action on what God said to do, and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down in the end.  Any giant or wall of fear cannot stand against our God and the truth of His Word!   

How to Handle Fear {Part 1}

Hello Living Free in Him friends!  I am so thankful you have come here today to see what the Lord has laid on my heart.  I have been working on a Bible study on the subject of fear.

Fear and I go way back.  We were pretty cozy for about thirty years!!  Then I finally had enough of him! Fear of rejection consumed me and he is not a good companion.   He was a bad friend and it was time to kick him to the curb!  He reared his ugly head back into my life about 6 months ago when I was faced with much rejection at one time.  However, I decided he could not stay.  He is not welcome in my life and he had no choice but to go!  So, when I found out the Proverbs 31 In the Gap Bible Study needed writers for a study of fear, I jumped at the chance-- the chance to study on something I needed to overcome and hopefully help others do the same in the process.

I looked at three heroes of the Bible to see how they handled fear.

This week, I thought I'd share with you a little of what I found in God's Word. We will look at one hero today and then the other two later in the week to see how they were victorious over fear and how we can apply the truths that helped them overcome into our own lives to help us beat our fears.  

The first hero is David.

Keep this train of thought in mind: belief-faith-courage-action-success.

In 1 Samuel 17, we find David about to face the giant Goliath. Now, Goliath was huge. He was nine and a half feet tall, and you can bet he worked out! When David heard about this giant who threatened the Israelite army, he asked, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David showed no fear. He knew God was on his side. He had seen how God had helped in the past and knew He would help him in this situation ( 1 Sam 17:35-36). David faced the giant and spoke to the giant, "The battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." (Can't you just hear the faith in his voice!)  

We too have giants we need to face. They may not be physically nine feet tall, but they can seem just as insurmountable.  Like David, we need to know some things before we are ready to face our giants. What did David know? What was it that made him so ready and EAGER even to face this giant with certainty that he would come out victorious?

1. David knew His God. He spent many hours in the presence of the Lord. Before David was a giant slayer, he was a harp player. He spent many hours singing and praising the Lord in the middle of the meadow. David had a strong relationship with the Lord, which fed his confidence.

2. David knew his God was with him and would help him. He drew confidence from past victories. "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:36).

3. David knew who he was. He knew God was on His side and that he was in the army of the Living God.

We see the train of thought--belief-faith-courage-action-success—as David beat Goliath.  He believed God was with him, he had faith that God would help him, he courageously faced the giant and spoke to the giant, threw a stone and won the battle!

We don't have a stone to throw but we have the Sword of the Spirit, God's Word, as our weapon!  When we come up against a giant or fear, we can speak the Word of God to overcome and fight the battle.  God will fight our battle.  David knew God was with him.  God is with you and He is for you. When you think about it, we have the Living God and His armies fighting for us!  In comparison, all giants are tiny!

We don't need to get cozy with fear, we need to throw a stone at it and toss it to the curb!  It has been a bad friend, the kind we don't need hanging around.

Power Verses: 

 1. “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47

2.  "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."  Romans 8:37

3. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What is a giant in your life?  Do knowing any of the truths above help you believe God will help you overcome that giant?  Or is there another truth in scripture that you could use to overcome your fear?  When you see how David was able to stand confidently against his giant, which are do you need to grow stronger in (Knowing God, Believing God is for you, or Knowing who you are in Christ?) and how can you do that following David's example?  Please share in the comments.  I'd love to hear from you.

On Wednesday, we are going to look at another hero, Joshua, and how he handled fear.

When You Need a Bigger Boat

In 1 Samuel 17, we find David about to face the giant Goliath. Now, Goliath was huge.  He was nine and a half feet tall, and you can bet he worked out!  

When David heard about this giant who threatened the Israelite army, he asked, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"  David showed no fear.  He knew God was on his side.  He had seen how God had helped in the past and knew He would help him in this situation ( 1 Sam 17:35-36).

He faced the giant and spoke to the giant, "The battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." 

We too have giants we need to face.  They may not be physically nine feet tall, but they can seem just as insurmountable in size.

Like David, we need to know some things before we are ready to face our giants.

What did David know?  What was it that made Him so ready and EAGER even to face this giant with certainty that he would come out victorious?

1.  David knew His God.   He spent many hours in the presence of the Lord.  Before David was a giant slayer, he was a harp player.  He spent many hours singing and praising the Lord in the middle of the meadow.  David had a strong relationship with the Lord, which fed his confidence.

2.  David knew His God was with Him and would help him.  He drew confidence from past victories.  "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:36).

3.  David knew who he was.  He knew God was on His side and that he was in the army of the Living God.

We too can get in a position where we can confidently face our giants: 

Spend time in the presence of the Lord in praise and worship and prayer.  

Remember past victories where God has provided and proved faithful time and again.  

Know who you are, that you are in the army of the Living God.  You are a child of the Most High.   

Who is this giant who dares defy the child of the Most High, and the army of the Living God? 

Once you are ready to face the giants, call them out.  David had to identify the giant, call him out and face him.  What are your giants?  Fear? Insecurity?  Pride?  Marriage issues?  Children struggles?  Health?

After you have identified your giants, speak to them as David did.  Speak God's Word.  God's Word is a double edged sword and it will defeat those giants.

For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Heb 4:12)

As I identified my giants, I began to speak to them.  I had many scriptures memorized to help conquer the giants.  One giant in particular was bigger than I realized and I knew I needed more ammo.

I thought back to the movie Jaws.  When they went out to face the "giant" shark, it wasn't until they stood face to face with the giant that they realized they might need a "bigger boat."  David only needed one stone, but sometimes we need a "bigger boat".

Get your Bible out and look up verses to speak to your giant.  I found about eight and wrote them on note cards.  Anytime my giants try to rear their ugly heads, I am going to stand like David did and speak to them.  The spoken Word of God is stronger than any sword and more powerful than any giant.  They have to fall in defeat when hit with the ammo of the Word.

Face those giants and speak to them!

Who is this giant that he should defy the armies of the living God. The battle is the Lord's and He will give you into my hands.  Victory is mine!  (Sue paraphrase)  : ) 

Open My Eyes

"Lord, I pray, open [my] eyes that [I] may see."  2 Kings 6:17

There are constantly things all around us we are not able to see.  God is at work and we often are unaware of the unseen forces armed up for battle on our behalf.  

In Second Kings chapter six, the king of Syria was wondering how in the world Israel kept knowing his battle plans.  This is para-phrasing, but the king basically asks, "Is there a mole?  Is there a spy in my camp telling the Isralites what we are gong to do next?"  No.  

"And one of his servants said, 'None, my lord, O king, but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.'"  2 Kings 6:12

Notice, Elisha wasn't at the king's door with his ear up against a cup!  He was in Israel!  Elisha knew things he could not have possibly known any other way except by the power of God.  

Not only could Elisha hear things supernaturally, he saw things supernaturally as well.  

Once the king of Syria realized the problem was Elisha, he sent an army out to stop him.  

"And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots.  And his servant said to him, 'Alas, master!  What shall we do?'"  2 Kings 6:15

His servant seems somewhat alarmed.  Who wouldn't be with an army surrounding you?  Elisha, that's who.

"So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'"  2 Kings 6:16 

I wonder what the servant thought when Elisha said the above.  Umm....I know my math might be rusty, but there are only 2 of us and they have an army!?

Elisha saw what his servant and the army could not see.  He saw the army of the Lord around Him.  He saw God's heavenly angelic forces standing in a battle stance prepared to fight.  

Elisha saw through heavenly eyes.  

"And Elisha prayed, and said, 'Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  2 King 6:17

Then, Elisha asked the Lord to strike the Syrians with blindness.  When the Syrians came down to Elisha, he spoke in Jedi Knight fashion, "'This is not the way, nor is this the city.  Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.'  But he led them to Samaria." 

Somehow, I just cannot help but picture Elisha with a hood over his head and waving his hand in front of the Syrians eyes when he says "This is not the way, nor is this the city."  I am not the man you are looking for. 

I am sorry, that picture just makes me laugh!  {smile}  God is so funny!  

Elisha had the power of God on the inside of Him.  This power gave him incredible insight to see the unseen and know the unknown.  WE HAVE THAT SAME POWER on the inside of us!!!  

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside of you.  The Holy Spirit is God inside of us! (2 Peter 1: 3-4, Acts 1:8)

In Ephesians 1: 17-23, Paul instructs us to pray:

 "The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 

 the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 

and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

far above any principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come, 

and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

WOW!  I am overcome right now with His Holy presence.  If you truly read this and soak in the Words written, you will be amazed at what God is saying.  We have the same power inside of us and available to us that raised Jesus from the dead! 

The power of the Holy Spirit inside of us is more powerful than any adversary you are facing.  The power inside of us is more powerful than any enemy.  The powers of darkness are no match for our God! 

"He put all things under His feet."  It is all under His feet, and we are His body.  He fills us with Him.  It is under our feet.  Elisha knew what we need to know.  We are not alone.  We have a heavenly army ready at a moments notice to fight for us! 

What is surrounding you today?  Cancer.  Sickness.  Disease.  Broken relationships.  Marriage issues.  Rebellious children.  Money issues.  Debt.  Work place drama.  Alcohol and drug addiction. Unemployment. Depression.

Or perhaps your battle is more internal?  Self-doubt. Insecurity.  Fear.  Fear of failure. Fear of success.  

His power is available to you for you to overcome any enemy.   

Elisha was just a man like any other man.  Pray for your spiritual eyes to be opened.   Pray for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened.  God promises to answer.  He will reveal to you what you need to know.  He will show you things unseen and make them seen. 

There is a heavenly army just waiting to come to your aid and fight for you!   You are not alone and the battle is not yours, but God's. 

Oh Lord, open our eyes that we may see.    

    

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